China’s first ultra-deepwater gas field surpasses 10 billion cubic metres in production

China’s pioneering ultra-deepwater gas field, Shenhai-1, has exceeded 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas output since operations commenced three years ago, alongside more than one million cubic metres of condensate oil.

For three consecutive years, annual natural gas production at the field has remained above 3 billion cubic metres, with 2024 output reaching 3.2 billion cubic metres. Located in the deep waters south of Hainan Province, the project is being developed in two phases and operates at extreme depths and pressures, making it one of China’s most complex offshore energy ventures.

With a maximum water depth exceeding 1,500 metres and well depths surpassing 5,000 metres, Shenhai-1 contends with formation temperatures reaching 138°C and pressures exceeding 69 megapascals, equivalent to 1,000 times the working pressure of a household pressure cooker.

This makes it the deepest, highest-temperature, and highest-pressure offshore gas field developed by China to date.

The second phase of development has further boosted overall production capacity, as reported by CCTV +, a partner of TV BRICS.

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